There was a problem sending the command to the program

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Problem:

When double clicking on a .DOC or .DOCX document that should normally open in word you get the following error:
"There was a problem sending the command to the program"
When you open these files from an email attachment word will open but present only blank information

Solution:

Run the office repair tool for Word by typing: winword.exe /r in the run box

If this happens in Excel, do this:

Excel 2010 or 2013

  1. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
  2. Click Advanced, scroll down to the General section, and then clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box in the General area.
  3. Click OK.
Excel 2007

  1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Excel Options.
  2. Click Advanced, and then clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box in the General area.
  3. Click OK.
Excel 2003

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. Clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box, and then click OK.